9 Best Breast Pumps of 2024, According to 1,200 Moms

Oct 24, 2024

We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.

The best breast pump is the Spectra S1 Plus Hospital Strength Breast Pump, according to more than 1,200 moms who praise its efficiency, comfort and ease of use. Moms also like the momcozy S12 Pro as a secondary wearable breast pump.

Once I decided to breastfeed my daughter (or at least give it a try), the first thing I did was research breast pumps. While I wanted to exclusively breastfeed, I knew pumping would allow my husband and me to share feeding responsibilities. (Not to mention, pumping can help prevent painful breast engorgement.)

I was immediately overwhelmed by the number of breast pumps on the market. And I knew I had to get it right on the first purchase if I wanted to avoid wasting money. After all, breast pumps are expensive, and returning one after using it is almost impossible. I spent months researching before adding a breast pump to my cart... and then waited another month before actually buying it.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, let my research and experience — along with the advice of over 1,200 breastfeeding moms — guide you in finding the best breast pump.

To choose the best wearable breast pumps, I first made a list of all the pumps I considered buying for my own use — about 20 in total.

Next, I looked at feedback from members of the What to Expect community, particularly the results of the What to Expect Mom Must-Have Awards, which polled more than 1,200 breastfeeding moms about their favorite electric and wearable breast pumps.

I also spoke with several moms from the What to Expect editorial team about their experiences using breast pumps and took their recommendations into account.

Based on this research and my own experience, I narrowed the list down to nine pumps that received overwhelming praise for:

What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.

Weight: 3 pounds

Dimensions: 7.5 x 7 inches

What to Expect's Editorial Director Christine Mattheis tested five types of breast pumps during her seven-month breastfeeding journey with her daughter, Rose. She says that the Spectra S1 was by far her favorite. "The Spectra pumped milk extremely efficiently," she says. "In just 15 minutes, I could express up to 5 ounces per breast, while with other pumps I'd get maybe half that amount." Plus, she says, the Spectra was easy to use, fit comfortably and was easy to clean.

Many moms in the What to Expect Community agree with Christine — in fact, Spectra took the honor of the Best Breast Pump in the 2024 Mom-Must Have Awards, What to Expect's 100 percent community-driven awards series. In our poll, Moms touted this as one of the most powerful pumps outside of the ones you can rent from the hospital — great for exclusively pumping moms and moms who rely on pumping to stash enough milk to feed baby during work hours.

The Spectra's streamlined design builds in a super-convenient handle for portability and a space at the back to secure a bottle — and with the blue S1, you get a built-in backup battery, as well. (If you don’t think you’ll need the battery pack, you can get the pink S2 and save yourself a few bucks).

The pump weighs 3.3 pounds and has a handy little nightlight, so you can pump during those bleary midnight hours without turning on the lights and a screen that shows a digital stopwatch so you can see how long you've been pumping.

The double-electric, closed-system design has a digital display that lights up so you can easily set the speed and rhythm. Turn it off, and its memory will even recall where you last left off.

The blue spectra is what I used with first pregnancy and loved it. Slightly more expensive, but has a chargeable battery so could use in the car vs having to be next to an outlet.

"I had the blue one (s1, rechargeable) and highly recommend spending the extra on the rechargeable battery. not needing to be tethered to an outlet was amazing and the charge lasted a longgg time. I'm planning on using it again this time as my main pump, and buying a pair of wearables."

I have used the spectra pump. It’s a really good breast pump. I also have a wearable pump and generally speaking, the wearables aren’t as strong and don’t create as much output as the standard pumps like the spectra. They’re mostly recommended for occasional use, but not your main pump. I would recommend getting the spectra.

I’d get the S1. It’s nice being able to pump wherever I want in my house. It would also be beneficial in the event of a power outage. I have also been able to pump on the go, including on a plane.

Weight: 1.18 pounds

Dimensions: 5.5 x 3 x 4.3 inches

I was first drawn to the Pump In Style with MaxFlow Breast Pump for its ease of use. Other breast pumps seemed to have a lot of buttons and parts, which, as a first-time mom, was a little overwhelming. With the Medela Pump In Style, I just had to press one button to get started and easily hit another to adjust the speed and strength.

Of course, ease of use is only one pro of this pump. It's designed to mimic a baby’s natural sucking pattern, which is more complicated than it sounds. According to Medela’s research, babies breastfeed in two steps: stimulation, which involves a faster sucking rhythm to get milk flowing, and expression, which uses a slower sucking rhythm for feeding. By working in the same way, this pump aims to help you produce more milk in less time, which is a huge plus.

This pump is also super portable, weighing just over one pound and measuring 5.5 x 3 x 4.3 inches. I found it took up about the same space as a pair of sneakers, and the portable battery pack made it possible for me to pull over and pump during long car rides.

This newer version of the Pump In Style has an important upgrade, too: It’s now a closed system, meaning it’s easier to clean since there’s a barrier between the milk collection and pump parts.

Despite these upgrades, some moms note that the pumping sound is still a little loud, which could be a problem if you’re trying to pump discreetly. However, I was able to pump during meetings, and no one commented on the sound.

I ordered this one to try! I got the one with the battery pack. I liked that it was hospital grade but I still had the opportunity to carry it around with me when I’m at home so I’m not just stuck. The battery pack for it is external, which was weird to me. But I’m thinking I’ll just put some Velcro on it to make it easier to carry around if I’m moving. I do already have a Spectra from my first as a backup if I end up not liking this. But the fit on the bottles of this are more contoured and feel more comfortable than my spectra did!

I have a pump in style that has been great, I’ve used it with two babies and will be using it again, definitely recommend.

Highly recommend the medela pump in style!! Or really any medela pump!

Weight: 8.48 ounces each

Dimensions: 5.31 x 4.25 x ‎2.8 inches

If you're hoping to pump milk without being tethered to an outlet, you may want to invest in a secondary wearable breast pump — ideally one that won't cost a couple hundred dollars. This is why many What to Expect moms voted the Momcozy S12 Pro as the Best Wearable Breast Pump in the 2024 Mom Must-Have Awards. At less than $150, this portable device packs the power of a hospital grade pump with an impressive suction strength of 300 mmHg. It also has three expression modes — stimulation, expression, and mixed — and nine intensity levels, so you can customize the experience to mimic your baby’s sucking rhythm.

But what moms really love about the Momcozy S12 is the comfort. The pump has a unique double-sealed flange, which acts as a cushion and gets rid of that pinch feeling many moms experience.

"I’ve been using the Momcozy S12 for a few months now, and I’m truly impressed by how this compact device holds its own against larger pumps," Holly Crocker, an exclusive pumping mom of two, writes in her review of the Momcozy S12. "My output is just as good, if not better, with the Momcozy S12 compared to the electric breast pumps I’ve used in the past — those with bulky motors and hard-to-clean tubes.

I just got the s12 pro a few days ago and it has been a game changer for me! I had been looking at the Evie and Willow but couldn’t bring myself to spend that much money. I think the primary difference between those and the MomCozy is that the MC isn’t very discrete. I certainly wouldn’t wear it out in public. But for getting things done around the house while pumping, the MC is incredible. I did have one incident yesterday where I failed to fully seal the flange on one of my pumps and ended up leaking an entire bottle’s worth of milk on myself….but that was totally my fault. Just a word of warning to triple check the seal before you start!

I have the S12 pro and love it! It’s more comfy than my Medela and I think it’s a bit stronger. Like someone else mentioned it’s definitely not discreet, but it’s awesome to be able to move around while pumping. The only times I’ve leaked were when I didn’t have the seal right, but once you get through the learning curve, it’s a great pump. And you can’t beat it for the price!

I have the 12 and I love it. Honestly it’s discreet enough if you wear a baggier t shirt or tank top. Getting the seal right isn’t bad at all, just gotta make sure you lift the lip up and push down so it’s secured.

The innovative Willow 360 Pump (formerly known as the Willow 3.0) is free from tubes, wires and hanging bottles, making it the perfect on-the-go breast pump. Its shape allows you to insert the collection cups into your bra, providing a feeling of discretion you don’t necessarily get with other electric pumps. And it does so without sacrificing on power.

"Initially, I was concerned that the Willow 360 might not provide the same output as a more traditional pump due to its compact size and less powerful motor. But to my surprise, my milk production is the same with both pumps," Christine Benton, a mom of three, writes in her review of the Willow 360.

This pump has a corresponding app that controls the suction and keeps track of milk volume, pumping time and previous pumping sessions. You can change the settings with an app on your phone or even on your Apple watch.

Also cool: You can pump in any position, thanks to the spill-proof design. So you can lay down or bend over to pick up your baby while you pump without the worry of spilling any breast milk. And, as of early 2024, Willow now offers a one-on-one virtual session with a “Willow Mom Coach” who will help you with using your pump, making sure you get the right fit and answering any questions you have. You can even receive free additional inserts if you need a smaller flange size.

The biggest downside — besides the price — is that you have to either buy the Willow Pump Reusable Breast Milk Containers (sold separately) or Willow’s specific brand of pump bags because they're designed to fit in the pump.

Keep in mind that although the Willow is much more discreet than a typical breast pump, you won't necessarily be able to go about your day without other people noticing that you're pumping. "The Willow is helpful if you want to, say, throw on a big sweatshirt and take a walk around the neighborhood while you're pumping," says Robin Hilmantel, What to Expect's Senior Director of Editorial Strategy & Growth. "But it is larger and more noticeable than I was expecting, so I didn't feel comfortable wearing it in the workplace or in more public settings."

"I’m going with the willow 3.0 vs willow go. Willow 3.0 you aren’t limited to movement which I love. Also you can buy reuse container instead of the bags. I’m going to have the useable containers and some bags. The willow go has more of a gentle suction but it can leak."

"I used the willow 3.0 and with the bags, you literally can do everything. I could sleep while pumping, chase my toddler, bend over and change a diaper."

"I had trouble breastfeeding with my son from the beginning and was pumping/supplementing with formula almost right away. I started with a Spectra and then got the Willow about a month in and used it exclusively until he was 9 mos old, then we were all formula. My supply was never great so the convenience of the Willow outweighed other pump options for me (especially in the middle of the night). I plan to use it again for this next baby (with some new/replacement parts)."

Weight: 1.39 pounds

Dimensions: ‎4 x 7.88 x 9 inches

Single-electric breast pumps are less efficient than double-electric pumps, but they also usually cost much less. And if you’re only going to be away from your baby for a few hours a week but still want the speed and efficiency of an electric, well, they’re a no-brainer. Think of it as the best of both worlds.

Moms love the Evenflo Feeding Advanced Single Electric because it’s more compact than other single electric pumps, since the controls rest on top of the pump rather than in an attached unit. It also has a hygienic closed system with a mere five parts to assemble and clean to help make pumping a breezy experience from start to finish.

Because it’s battery operated (it takes three AA batteries), it’s super portable. You can pump in the car, the bathroom or even a changing room without searching high and low for an outlet. At just over one pound, the pump isn’t at all cumbersome to carry in your purse. The affordable pump is compact, too, so you can opt to store it in your glove compartment for emergency pumping sessions. (You never know when you might spring a leak!)

I have a single electric pump from Evenflo in the car. I am a mostly SAHM as well; I work only 1-2 days/week and the days I'm off we go to playgroups and other places. Which is why the car one is a blessing for sure.

My insurance company covered evenflo well that’s what they Gave me. It was the single pump. I know most ppl get medela I wasn’t given an option to choose :-/ but I honestly had great results! I actually am waiting to get a replacement for my evenflo bc my daughter is 11 months old and it did go out idk why it’s not working properly so if the medela lasts longer then 11 months id go with that. But my milk supply worked well with the even flo I never tried a medela only a manual pump my sister had before I used my evenflo.

Weight: Motor: 7.9 ounces; Each cup is less than 5 ounces

Dimensions: 9.09 x 6.06 x 5 inches

If you’re looking for a powerful semi-wearable pump, the Elvie Stride is the perfect pick. It has a hospital-grade strength motor that has a suction power of up to 300 mmHG, which is higher than the original wearable Elvie pump. You can also use the Elvie app to control your pump and adjust suction settings, as well as monitor your pumping history and track milk volume.

"The Elvie Stride has several features, like a powerful motor and decent cup capacity, that make it ideal for moms who want the convenience of a wearable pump but the power and price of an electric pump," Jaclyn King, a mom of two, writes in her review of the Elvie Stride.

Moms like the soft silicone nipple shields, saying they are gentle against the breasts; they also come in three sizes so you can get the best fit. Jaclyn did find the shields became less comfortable over time, but not to the point that it was painful.

Jaclyn also notes that, despite being wearable, "because of the tubing and external motor, the Elvie Stride is not as discreet as other wearable breast pumps." You can, however clip the motor to your waistband or tuck in your pocket, which many moms say makes it possible to wear the pump while doing other things.

“I have an Elvis stride. The suction has been great for me and it is SO convenient, plus pretty easy to clean.”

“I got the Elvie stride. The other Elvie was just too much for me. I feel like the Elvie stride is sufficient. It does have tubing but everything tucks nicely under your shirt and clips onto your pants.”

“I have the Stride. I love it because the suction power (IMO) is comparable to the Spectra. I think this is because of the fact that the motor itself is separate. I used it as my main pump with my first and am transitioning to having it as my main pump again when I go back to work in a couple weeks.”

“I have the Stride as well and absolutely love it. I get the same amount of milk when I use my Stride that I do when I use my Medela (non-wearable). I use my Stride around the house so that I can continue to do things and used it while driving yesterday because I had to be away from baby for a few hours. Love it! Also, large breasted over here and no issues with that.”

Weight: 0.49 pounds

Dimensions: 5 x 4.3 x 2.7 inches

Jaclyn also used the Elvie Pump throughout her breastfeeding journey, as it offered a few added perks compared to the Elvie Stride. The main advantage, for her, is the the accompanying app, which makes for an almost mindless pumping sessions. Through this, you can track your sessions and milk output, and can controll the intensity.

Another draw: It's easy to use. You simply pop each 8-ounce pump into your bra, turn it on, and let it work its magic. Positioning can be a bit tricky at first, but you’ll get the hang of it in no time. Just make sure to keep an eye on the output levels using your app — once the collection jar fills up, you risk milk backing up and out of the pump, causing quite a leaky mess.

Sarah Darby, What to Expect’s Senior SEO Content Strategist, used the Elvie Pump often during the four months she pumped (three of which she was exclusively pumping), and deems it a truly incredible pump. “I loved that I could just wear my regular nursing bra and pop my Elvie right in, plus it was super quiet and discreet enough that I could do pretty much anything while wearing it,” she says, though notes that she couldn’t bend over without the Elvie pausing. “I also found that the Elvie was super easy to clean between pumping sessions.”

Sarah, like many other moms, mentions that the suction on the Elvie is not as strong as regular pumps, which may impact how much you express in a session.

I have the Elvie as my only pump, and I love it so much. I had a terrible experience with pumping and my supply suffered with my last baby. This time I got the Elvie to make pumping easier, and I’m extremely happy with it! I’m actually even producing double what my daughter eats each day, which is an amazing feeling compared to last time!

I used the Elvie with my first baby! It’s awesome for travel, pumping on the go! I didn’t think the suction was as good as my spectra pump and it’s kind of annoying to clean! But really convenient for on the go pumping!

Weight: 4 ounces

Dimensions: 7 x 3 x 3 inches

Deemed the Best Manual Pump but What to Expect staff and community members, the lightweight, one-piece Haakaa Silicone Pump is perfect for moms who need help starting a milk flow. You can use this pump alone to create suction, no tedious hand pumping required. Just squeeze a little bit, and the suction allows the natural letdown process to flow. It’s also a miracle worker when it comes to catching letdown milk from the breast that baby isn’t feeding from. You’ll be amazed by how much milk you can save with this passive method of “pumping.”

At the start of my breastfeeding sessions, I would leak on whatever side my daughter wasn’t nursing on, so a friend suggested I use the Haakaa. I was shocked at how much milk I was able to collect from that side. (If you do try this passive method of “pumping,” just be mindful of your baby’s position, as they could easily kick it off.)

Sarah found the Haakaa helpful once her son started sleeping longer stretches at night. “I found that I would leak on the side he wasn’t nursing on because I was so engorged,” Sarah says. “I started popping the Haakaa on and it was a game changer!”

Christine also found the Haakaa helpful for coping with a powerful letdown. "At the beginning of every feed, my daughter would cough and almost seem to be choking on my milk," she explains. "So I started using the Haakaa to stimulate my milk flow, and once I got past that initial tingly feeling of a letdown, I'd pop it off and have my daughter latch. Then I'd pop the Haakaa on the breast she wasn't feeding on and collect any milk that leaked."

The all-silicone design is easy to clean. A little hot soapy water and a bottle brush will do the trick.

Love it!!! 3oz each time I use it from the side she's not nursing on and there seems to be plenty of milk left for her when I switch sides.

I love mine! I'm finally starting to get a little stash in the fridge!

Weight: 0.3 pounds

Dimensions: 7.5 x 3.88 x 7.5 inches

This Lansinoh manual pump is extremely affordable, plus small and lightweight, which makes it easy to pick up as a backup for times when you might need to relieve just a little bit of engorgement or if you only tend to pump a few ounces every once in a while.

For a manual pump, this one packs a big punch: It has two modes so you can pump faster, a special handle so your hand won’t tire as easily (anyone who's used a manual pump knows how important this is!) and fewer parts to clean.

“Even though I had a double electric pump, I would often choose to use my Lansinoh manual pump,” Sarah says. “I felt that I was able to get more milk in the same amount of time and it was so easy to clean in between pump sessions.”

Sarah also loved what Lansinoh refers to as a pump-store-feed system, which means milk isn't transferred from one container to the next; you pump directly into the wide-neck bottle you’ll use for feeding. Super convenient for quick feedings, plus you can’t argue the benefit of less dishwashing to do.

Christine used the Lansinoh Manual pump occasionally. "It was most useful for me when my daughter started sleeping longer stretches at night, and I'd wake up engorged," she says. "I wanted my body to adjust my milk supply accordingly, so didn't want to do a full pump with my Spectra or Medela Freestyle Flex. So I would use the Lansinoh Manual for just a few minutes to relieve pressure. Lansinoh bottles were the only type my daughter would take, so using this pump was a no-brainer."

I have a Lansinoh manual pump and really like it. I have an electric Medela pump and think it's a lot harder to clean. It's a little larger in size than the Medela manual pump, but the Lansinoh manual pump I can do one-handed, which is a big plus for me.

I use the Lansinoh manual pump at night. My little one is 3 months now and usually eats only on one side for his middle-of-the-night feed. I always pump the other and get 4 ounces or so.

I’ve commented on alot of posts, saying that the lansinoh manual pump saved my pumping journey and my sanity. So nice to just be able to use it when I can’t stand to look at my spectra lol. I use the manual pump at least once a day..I also love it for traveling. I have two of them, so that in don’t have to worry about washing it, if we’re out for a while. When my husband is driving, it’s so easy to just use that pump, instead of putting on a pumping bra, connecting yourself to a pump.. not to mention. lugging all that around.

As you start shopping, you'll want to find a breast pump that meets your specific needs — what works for one mom might not be the right choice for you. When researching the best breast pumps, consider these important factors:

When considering the above, don’t forget to think at least six to 12 months out, says Wendy Wright, a certified lactation consultant, since you may well be using your pump for that long. “A lot of new moms don’t realize how much time (and physical effort) breastfeeding and/or pumping takes,” she says. “We don’t want moms to sacrifice their breastfeeding goals because their pump does not match their active lifestyle over the duration of their breastfeeding journey.”

There are three main types of breast pumps:

As you start shopping, you'll want to find a breast pump that meets your specific needs — what works for one mom might not be the right choice for you. When researching the best breast pumps, Andrea Tran, a certified lactation consultant, says to consider these important factors:

When considering the above, don’t forget to think at least six to 12 months out, says Wendy Wright, a certified lactation consultant, since you may well be using your pump for that long. “A lot of new moms don’t realize how much time (and physical effort) breastfeeding and/or pumping takes,” she says. “Most infants eat every two to three hours until they reach 6 months of age, so we like to ask our moms if their lifestyle requires flexibility, freedom and mobility. We don’t want moms to sacrifice their breastfeeding goals because their pump does not match their active lifestyle over the duration of their breastfeeding journey.”

Closed-system pump or hospital-grade breast pump: A closed-system pump is one that is sealed off from the milk by a barrier (this feature is also called “overflow protection”). This is the most hygienic type of pump, as the barrier prevents milk from getting into the machine, which can make tubes and small pieces difficult to sterilize. They also tend to be more expensive than open-system pumps.

Open-system pump: These don’t have a barrier between the milk and the pump mechanism, so milk flows through tubes and other small pieces into the bottle and therefore may come in contact with the pumping mechanism. Though they can be less hygienic, open-system pumps are usually less expensive than closed-system pumps.

Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners.